ORLANDO - National landscape maintenance franchise company U.S. Lawns (USL) announced July 12 that it has added its 82nd franchise, U.S. Lawns of Simi Valley, Simi Valley, Calif., expanding the Orlando-based company’s presence in the California market.
Nick Racanelli, franchise owner of the new Simi Valley location, is also in the process of acquiring a local landscaping firm to add to the franchise’s presence in the area. A graduate of Ahuntsic College in Montreal, Canada, Racanelli will use his education and sales and management experience to oversee the operation of the landscape management company.
Racanelli hopes to increase the volume of his business by 50 percent in the first two years, according to USL. "Partnering with U.S. Lawns presents me with greater opportunities for success," he said. "The power of strong brand recognition, coupled with U.S. Lawns' extensive training and professional support, will allow me to build a business that will be an industry leader."
USL's owner-operator model allows franchisees like Racanelli to own and operate their own businesses, maintaining close relationships with their customers, while providing them with the resources of a national organization. These resources include agricultural, sales and computer training, support and networking with other professionals in the same industry.
USL Simi Valley joins USL San Diego, El Cajon, Calif., and USL South Bay, Torrance, Calif., in the California market.
"U.S. Lawns' increased presence in California is important," said Ken Hutcheson, USL vice president and general manager. "The California market contains enormous potential, and U.S. Lawns' systems allow franchisees like Nick to take advantage of that opportunity."